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Plant-based remedies are an ancient form of healing and have become increasingly popular in the West. They are used to treat various ailments with emphasis on enhancing the body's own recuperative capabilities.

Local medicinal herbalist Trudy Norris.

Recently, scientists claimed that the body is adequately capable of getting rid of toxins and warned the public about thinking twice before using products.

The Sense About Science group, a charitable trust which works to ensure that accurate scientific and medical information is available to the public, said that a glass of tap water and an early night are the best remedies.

Tracey Brown, director of Sense About Science, said: 鈥淲hen harmful chemicals do enter the body, the liver acts as an extraordinary chemical factory, usually combining them with its own chemicals to make a water soluble compound that can be excreted by the kidneys.

"The body thus detoxifies itself. The body is re-hydrated with ordinary tap water. It is refreshed with a good night's sleep.

Dried herbs

"These processes do not occur more effectively as a result of taking 'detox' tablets, having a 'detox' body wrap, eating nettle root extract, drinking herbal infusions or 'oxygenated' water.

Herb safety

Studies into medicinal plants and their properties were prominent in ancient civilisations in the east and new research continues today.

鈥淗erbs are powerful medicines." said Mrs Norris. "They influence the body鈥檚 physiology and chemistry and they are exceptionally safe and frequently very reliable materials for helping people regain or maintain their health.

Common Poppy or Papaver rhoeas native to our area.

However, not all medicinal plants are safe to use. Some plants can be toxic if taken in large dosages, combining them with other herbs or medicines could lead to side effects.

Mrs Norris explained that using herbal remedies safely involves a great deal of learning and understanding of the subject.

鈥淧roblems do arise when, for example, people don't identify herbs correctly. It鈥檚 also a problem when people aren't critical enough about what they're trying to achieve with herbal medicines or are inadequately making self-prescriptions.鈥�